Monte Morris Steps Up As Nuggets Defeat Grizzlies At Pepsi Center

Jokic had 27 points and 12 rebounds, Morris tied a career high with 20 points and the injury-depleted Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies 105-99 on Monday night.

Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies throws up a shot against Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on December 10, 2018. (credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Morris gave the Nuggets the lead for good on a 3-pointer with 5:22 remaining. The reserve also had five assists and five rebounds.

“Monte Morris was MVP of the game,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He was phenomenal tonight. His floor game. His shot making. His rebounding. His playmaking. We do not win that game without Monte.”

Over the offseason, Morris overhauled his jumper — more of a follow-through, less of a flicking motion — and it has given him added confidence. He also received some recent advice from Malone that he has taken to heart — if a defender is guarding him too close, don’t run the play, just attack the basket.

So that’s what he’s been doing. He scored 15 points in the second half.

“I have to change my mindset from being that facilitator and scoring here and there to being more in attack mode for the team,” Morris said. “Especially with guys out.”

Monte Morris of the Denver Nuggets drives against Shelvin Mack of the Memphis Grizzlies at the Pepsi Center on December 10, 2018. (credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Mason Plumlee added 12 points and 10 rebounds in his first start of the season for the Nuggets, who were missing Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and Will Barton due to injuries. Jamal Murray also was dealing with a bruised right shin and took a hard hit on a screen just before halftime, knocking the wind out of him. He finished with 16 points.

“We’re just a deep team,” Plumlee said. “We have a lot of guys that can play and we have some guys that you haven’t even seen yet.”

Mason Plumlee of the Denver Nuggets blocks Jamychal Green of the Memphis Grizzlies at the Pepsi Center on December 10, 2018. (credit: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

This was a tightly contested game that featured 15 lead changes. Neither team opened more than an eight-point advantage.

“They made extra plays,” said Mike Conley, who had 19 points for Memphis despite playing with a dislocated right pointer finger. “On our end, we didn’t execute our offense. Guys weren’t ready to shoot the ball. We weren’t all in sync at the right time. When you aren’t playing on the same page late in the game like that, it’s hard to win.”

Conley briefly left in the third quarter with a hamstring that tightened up on him.

“We went back in the room and we stretched it out,” Conley said. “I played a lot better after I returned.”

YOUNG AT HEART

On Monday, the Nuggets signed veteran guard Nick Young under the injury hardship relief exception granted by the NBA. He didn’t get in the game against the Grizzlies, but the team plans on getting Young up to speed quickly. Malone said Young brings a little more of a long-range threat to the floor.

Young has been a 37.6 percent shooter from 3-point land for Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia, Los Angeles Clippers and Washington.